Alum of the Year

2025 Alumni of the Year

Each year at Homecoming when we celebrate the Alumnus (or Alumni) of the Year, the collective SHA community seems to agree “there is no one more deserving of the honor”. That is, until the next year, when the Alumni Association goes through the nominations and selects another winner.
Again, it’s true. No one is more deserving than Megan Spence ’03 & Andy Theisen Jr ’02, who have been named Alumni of the Year, and will officially receive the award October 3, 2025, at SHA’s annual Homecoming event.

The list of their involvement at Sacred Heart is long, and it ranges from Sacred Heart Academy to Sacred Heart Parish to the SHA Foundation. One might be hard-pressed to find something they have not volunteered for, helped create, or financially supported.

Megan and Andy’s generosity comes naturally. Both say their commitment to Sacred Heart comes from being raised to be grateful for what you have, give back when you can, and take pride in what is most important to you. “Sacred Heart is important to us,” Megan says. “When you believe in something as strongly as we do [in Catholic education], you want to be part of the success, part of the solutions, part of the progress, and the legacy.” 

The Theisens certainly have legacy. Megan’s parents are Cindy & Andy Spence ’74. Andy’s parents are Julie Flannery ’78 & Andy Theisen Sr ’78. On the Flannery side, Andy has great-grandfather, Tom Carey ’23, and great-great-grandmother, Nellie Garvin, who graduated in 1897. On the Theisen side, Andy Jr. has grandfather Robert ‘50 and great-grandfather, Gerald ’26. Megan and Andy have two children currently enrolled at SHA, Emerson, grade 10, and Brookston, grade 8.

In addition to currently leading a $1.5 million capital campaign for Sacred Heart Academy, Andy and Megan are SHAgala dinner/auction volunteers, both have coached varsity sports (Andy continues as an assistant for boys basketball), and they have logged many hours as classroom volunteers.

Although more of a behind-the-scenes person, Megan spent many years involved in Home and School activities and was one of the creative minds behind the popular online school store which offers a selection of wearables for all seasons and sports. She also helped lead teacher appreciation week efforts, staff luncheons, assemblies, the uniform sale, and much more. She continues to dedicate her time, energy, and creativity to promote and serve the Academy in any way that she can.
Andy is one of a handful of people who know the school and church facilities from the ground up, and the inside out. He has contributed countless hours and many personal resources in strategic planning and project management for Sacred Heart buildings and grounds. He is a trustee of the SHA Foundation and a member of the Sacred Heart Development Committee.

For all these efforts—and more!—the SHA Alumni Association selected Megan & Andy Theisen as Alumni of the Year for 2025.

Andy and Megan will be honored during Homecoming 2025 festivities, scheduled for October 3.

Alumnus of the Year Nomination Form